2023 marks the halfway point for achieving SDGs by 2030. SDG 7 is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. The goal includes reaching universal access to electricity and clean cooking, doubling historic levels of efficiency improvements, and substantially increasing the share of renewables in the global energy mix. Attaining this goal has deep impact on people’s health and well-being, to protect them from environmental and social risks such as air pollution, access to primary health care and services.
The 2023 edition of Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report warns that current efforts are not enough to achieve the SDG 7 on time. There has been some progress on specific elements of the SDG 7 agenda, for example, the increased rate of using renewables in the power sector, but progress is insufficient to reach the targets set forth in the SDGs.